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United States Patent |
6,166,520
|
Waters
,   et al.
|
December 26, 2000
|
Intercell bussing system for battery pack
Abstract
Disclosed is an intercell buss system 10 comprising:
at least a pair of electrical cells 12, 14, each having an electrical
terminal 12A, 14B thereon;
a lid 18 having an up and a down position, such that in the down position,
the lid covers at least a portion of the terminals of the cells; further,
the lid has a projection 20 thereon; and
a current carrying member 16 located on the projection 20 of the lid 18
such that when the lid is in the down position electrical current can pass
from one cell to the other through the current carrying member which acts
as an intercell buss and when the lid is in the up position, no current
can pass through the current carrying member.
Inventors:
|
Waters; John Eugene (Fishers, IN);
Hanauer; Brad T. (Muncie, IN)
|
Assignee:
|
Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Troy, MI)
|
Appl. No.:
|
491241 |
Filed:
|
January 25, 2000 |
Current U.S. Class: |
320/107; 429/99 |
Intern'l Class: |
H02J 007/00 |
Field of Search: |
320/107
429/96,97,98,99,100
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
4993973 | Feb., 1991 | Selinko | 429/96.
|
5795675 | Aug., 1998 | Maglica | 429/99.
|
5820406 | Oct., 1998 | Hetherington | 429/98.
|
Primary Examiner: Wong; Peter S.
Assistant Examiner: Luk; Lawrence
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dobrowitsky; Margaret A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An intercell buss system comprising:
at least a pair of electrical cells, each having an electrical terminal
thereon;
a lid having an up and a down position, such that in the down position, the
lid covers at least a portion of the terminals of the cells; further, the
lid has a projection thereon; and
a current carrying member located on the projection of the lid such that
when the lid is in the down position electrical current can pass from one
cell to the other through the current carrying member which acts as an
intercell buss and when the lid is in the up position, no current can pass
through the current carrying member.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the cells are positioned in a tray with a
sensing lead between at least two cells;
wherein the lead contacts the current carrying member buss when the lid is
in the down position and there is no contact with the current carrying
member when the lid is in the up position.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the cells are flat in a tray.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the lid covers the cells.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the cells are flat in a tray and the lid
encloses the tray.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the cells are in a tray and can be removed
therefrom when the lid is in the open position.
7. An intercell buss system comprising:
at least a pair of electrical cells, each having an electrical terminal
thereon;
a lid having an up and a down position, such that in the down position, the
lid covers the terminals of the cells; further, the lid has a projection
thereon; and
wherein the cells are positioned to lie flat in a tray having a sensing
lead between at least two cells;
wherein the lead contacts the current carrying member buss when the lid is
in the down position and there is no contact with the current carrying
member when the lid is in the up position;
wherein the lid covers the cells and encloses the tray; and
wherein the cells can be removed from the tray when the lid is in the open
position.
8. A method of assembling and disassembling the electrical connection
between at least a pair of electrical cells comprising:
providing at least a pair of electrical cells, each having an electrical
terminal thereon;
a lid having an up and a down position, such that in the down position, the
lid covers a portion of the terminals of the cells; further, the lid has a
projection thereon; and
a current carrying member located on the projection of the lid such that
when the lid is in the down position electrical current can pass from one
cell to the other through the current carrying member which acts as an
intercell buss and when the lid is in the up position, no current can pass
through the current carrying member;
moving the lid into a down position thereby providing intercell connection
between the electrical terminals of each of the electrical cells; and
placing the lid in the up position, thereby breaking the electrical circuit
between the electrical cells.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to an intercell buss system for a battery pack and
in particular, a system which incorporates inherent safety features.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Interconnections between batteries have been utilized for many years,
depending upon the battery system utilized. Many connections require a
unique configuration where the battery fits within a specific designed
position with a spring engagement for connecting the bottom of one battery
to other batteries. Such an arrangement is utilized in many C or D
batteries in flashlights and the like.
Other cable interconnects are used with ring terminals with specially
designed spliced in signal circuits. Alternatively, buss bars between
batteries are bolted on to keep a battery in place with the intercell
buss.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an intercell buss
system for at least a pair of electrical cells where the buss between the
electrical cells can simultaneously connect the cells and disconnect the
cells from a safety perspective by being incorporated in a lid covering
the battery pack. It is also an object of the present invention to have
the intercell buss connection which simultaneously connects the cells and
at the same time electrically connects a sense lead so that one would be
able to identify the operability of the cells.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Described is an intercell buss system comprising:
at least a pair of electrical cells, each having an electrical terminal
thereon;
a lid having an up and a down position, such that in the down position, the
lid covers a portion of the terminals of the cells; further, the lid has a
projection thereon; and
a current carrying member located on the projection of the lid such that
when the lid is in the down position electrical current can pass from one
cell to the other through the current carrying member which acts as an
intercell buss and when the lid is in the up position, no current can pass
through the current carrying member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top sectional perspective view of the intercell buss contact
between a pair of cells.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1 showing the
intercell buss connection.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1 showing the
intercell sense connection.
FIG. 4 is taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2 and is a sectional perspective
view of a the battery pack in a closed position and in outline in the open
position where the cover is hinged to the battery tray.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is directed towards an intercell buss system 10
showing at least a pair of electrical cells 12 and 14. While only two
cells are shown, the number can increase depending on the desired end use
of the battery pack.
The buss 16 overlaps and connects the cell terminal ends 12A and 14A. The
buss is an electrically conductive material such as aluminum or its alloys
or copper based materials and is retained in the lid projection 20 by
retaining members 23. The battery cells 12 and 14 fit within a tray 22 and
are retained in position by upright members 24 and 26. The lid 18 may be
hinged about member 28. Obviously any technique for a lid may be used
besides a hinge such as a freely moveable top and the like.
When the lid 18 closes about the battery pack it makes an electrical
connection through buss 16. Simultaneously, it makes an electrical
connection with lead member 30. The lead member permits sensing of the
connection with an external lead or circuit (not shown). The battery pack
material can be made up of a variety of materials such as metal or
plastic, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS and the like.
During the battery pack assembly, it is desirable to insert the cells along
a path perpendicular to the axis of the cell. The axis runs through the
cell from one terminal to the other. This development allows this cell
path during assembly.
The cells may be placed into a battery pack tray 22 and captured by a
connector 16. The buss connector 16 is integrated into a lid or cover as
is shown in the Figures. The cover or lid 18 provides a contact point, a
hold down force and interconnects the two cells simultaneously.
For safety considerations, it is desirable to disable the battery pack if
the enclosure is open. The device shown herein allows the intercell
bussing to be mounted in the lid so that if the lid is on the pack, the
pack will be disabled when the lid is opened.
In addition, the connection to the sense lead 30 is made with the same
part. At the same time that there is a power connection there is contact
with multiple contact points.
The battery has particular applicability to the lithium polymer batteries,
such as 42 volt battery pack system. Obviously, however, it is applicable
to a wide variety of electrical cells such as conventional lead acid
cells. In addition, it would be applicable for other secondary or
rechargeable batteries as well as primary batteries and fuel cells where
such intercell connection is desirable.
It is to be appreciated that the bussing system described herein is modular
in design. One can add battery packs to fit the desired voltage, e.g. 12
volts to 48 to 144 volts, and the like.
As can be seen, the battery pack and the intercell connection permits easy
assembly into strings or packs without tools being necessary. The cell
terminals 12 and 14 can be the same as for a side-by-side cell orientation
since no customization of the cell is required for a flat pack
application. This bussing system allows for universal cell terminals. The
size of the terminals can vary and accordingly can permit high current
capacity as well as low resistance. The invention as described herein
reduces tolerance stack up and tolerates minor misalignment of the cells.
This can be handled by virtue of the geometric arrangement and the size of
the intercell connector 16.
By virtue of the connector 16 and the sense lead 30 arrangement as shown in
the drawings herein, the connector and lead can be keyed to provide
positive rejection of improperly oriented cells. In other words, the
mechanical relationship between the buss and the cell terminals will
permit a detection of whether the cell has been inserted correctly.
Due to the arrangement of the cell connector in the lid, there is no need
for fasteners or torque control of fasteners nor the use of the cables or
a single wire spliced into a cable. No tools are necessary to assemble and
disassemble the electrical connection.
While the forms of the invention herein disclosed constitute presently
preferred embodiments, many others are possible. It is not intended herein
to mention all of the possible equivalent forms or ramifications of the
invention. It is understood that the terms used herein are merely
descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
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